# NTSB CHI88LA034: Cessna 172K, N78705, Staunton, IL, December 22, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 22, 1987, 12:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Staunton, IL
- Coordinates: 39.009796, -89.779373 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0098&lon=-89.7794&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 11, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14025
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI88LA034
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14025/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI88LA034

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - aircraft parked/standing (contributing factor)
  - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - inadequate (contributing factor)
  - clearance - inadequate, airport personnel (contributing factor)
- Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

DURING THE FLARE FOR LANDING THE AIRCRAFT DRIFTED TO THE RIGHT AND THE RIGHT WINGTIP CONTACTED THE RUDDERS OF TWO AIRCRAFT PARKED WITH THEIR TAILS 21' AND 23' FROM THE CENTERLINE OF THE RUNWAY. THE WINGSPAN OF THE ACCIDENT AIRCRAFT IS 35'9'. HAD THE PILOT BEEN ABLE TO LAND ON THE CENTERLINE THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN 3' CLEARANCE. ALL THREE AIRCRAFT WERE SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N78705 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172K
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17257725
- Airframe hours: 5598
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Ernest W. Short
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 13, 1987, 103 hours before
- Departed: CPS, CAHOKIA, IL
- Airport: 9H8, Willhoit, runway 27, 1,600 × 20 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 295 total, 197 in this make and model, 230 as pilot in command, 19 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 18 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ALN, 13 nm away

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.